WilliamKolis

1923 - 2014 ADAMS On April 2, 2014, after almost 91 nearly perfect years, the great manager of the universe decided it was time to relieve William Frank "Butch" Kolis from the game of life. Butch was loved and adored by Mary Jane Kolis, his batting-mate of 67 years, who supported him in all his activities. He had a large and wide ranging family, who also looked to him for advice, comfort, and most of all, knowledge. Butch was one of the longest playing members of the Adams Industrial Softball League, pitching well into his 50's, and always had Mary Jane and his children sitting in the stands while he worked magical games. He was also among a select group of friends who had secret places and times to find wild mushrooms in the woods, that were known only by their polish names. He rarely ever purchased a device or hired anyone to fix something that he thought he could "make in the shop", and when he did buy something, the first thing he discarded were the instructions, as he knew he could always figure things out. He enjoyed teaching his children where, when and how to do the things that he enjoyed and he watched as they did the same with their children. He was held in the highest esteem by numerous friends both here and on the bench. As he was heading off the field in quiet dignity, Butch was last seen doffing his cap to the crowd. Mr. William Frank "Butch" Kolis, 90, of 16 Haggerty St., Adams, died on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at North Adams Commons. He was born in Adams on May 15, 1923, a son of the late Matthew and Catherine Strzepek Kolis, and attended schools in Adams. Mr. Kolis worked for 43 years as a Boiler Fireman for the former W.R. Grace Co., Adams. Earlier, he had worked in the Berkshire Mills, Adams. He was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams. He was a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Society, the Stamford Vermont Country Club, and the Adams Senior Citizens. While an avid bowler and golfer, he was best known for his softball pitching. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Mary Jane Strauss, whom he married on Oct. 26, 1946; his four children, Gail Sellers and her husband, Phil, of North Adams, Ellen Clarkson and her husband, Dave, of Danvers, Mass., William F. Kolis Jr., and his wife, Donna, of Lakewood, Ohio, and Lynn Herlihy and her husband, Jim, of Sinking Spring, Penn.; nine grandchildren, Jason Sellers and his wife, Nissa, of Phoenix, Ariz., Nathen Sellers and his wife, Julia, of University Heights, Ohio, Kathryn Clarkson of Santa Monica, Calif., Jeffery Clarkson and his wife, Kimberly, of Salem, Mass., Jonathan Clarkson of Danvers, Mass., Sara and Rachel Kolis of Lakewood, Ohio., Megan and Molly Herlihy of Philadelphia, Penn.; six great-grandchildren, Voss and Ravenna Sellers of Phoenix, Ariz., and James, Bradley, Nathan and Daniel Sellers of University Heights, Ohio.; his siblings, Lillian Blazejewski, Jane Gilman, and Francis Kolis, all of Adams, and Blanche Hoellerich and Ilene LaFrance of Cheshire, Edmond Kolis of Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Isabelle Lanski, Donald Kolis, Frederick Kolis, Adelle Carignan, Mildred Zatorski, and Theodore Kolis. FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be on Monday, April 7, at 9 a.m., from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams, celebrated by the Rev. John Gawienowski. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery, Adams. Calling hours are Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. The family requests the omission of flowers and suggests memorial donations be made to the
, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or St. Stanislaus Kostka School, 108 Summer St. Adams, MA 01220. To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com.

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